Universal seal cage lantern ring with double-sided slotted land structure

Abstract

A universal seal cage lantern ring (USCLR) is provided with a slotted land type structure on both sides of a flexible central web, with the USCLR being constructed in a continuous undefined length, so that lantern rings can be cut to size therefrom, with the USCLR being adapted to wrap around a shaft so as to form a single complete ring around any given size shaft for which it is cut. The structure resembles an I-beam in which the I-beam flanges have been transversely slotted on both sides of the central web. When used for small diameter shafts, this structure prevents fracture or snapping of the ring due to the flexibility of the central web and the slots between lands on both sides of the ring. For larger diameter shafts, lantern ring rotation is minimized because portions of the packing rings adjacent the lantern ring protrude into the slots between adjacent outer lands, thus locking the packing rings adjacent the lantern ring and the lantern ring together, which increases frictional contact of the assembly with the stuffing box bore and prevents rotation. Moreover, the slot structure of the outside lands permits quick non-destructive removal of the lantern ring by a corkscrew type packing puller tool, since the corkscrew tip when inserted into the stuffing box tends to run along the interior wall of the stuffing box and engages an exterior slot between adjacent lands outside of the lantern ring, facilitating ring removal.

I claim: 
     
       1. A lantern ring for use with packing to provide for the distribution of fluid to adjacent packing material about a shaft having an axis, comprising: a length of flexible material having opposed ends defining the extent of said length, said length being formed into an annulus so that said opposed ends are juxtaposed unslotted seb, said web having opposed axially facing portions, each portion having an inner diameter and outer diameter, each portion at its respective inner and outer diameter having lands extending radially therefrom, said lands having radially extending slots therein.   
     
     
       2. The lantern ring of claim 1 wherein said ring is made of PTFE. 
     
     
       3. The lantern ring of claim 1 wherein said structure is made of an elongated piece of material from which a suitable length ring can be cut. 
     
     
       4. The lantern ring of claim 1 and further including apertures through said web. 
     
     
       5. A length of material for bending into an annulsus to form a lantern ring, said material comprising a flexible structure, said structure having a longitudinal extent defined between two longitudinally spaced opposed ends, said ends adapted to be juxtaposed to each other informing said lantern ring, said longitudinal extent being further defined by a central, unslotted and continuous web from one end to the other end of said extent, said web having longitudinally running spaced apart edges and opposed top and bottom portions, said web having opposing lands extending from each side of said web upwardly and downwardly from each respective top and bottom portion of said web at each respective edge of said web, said lands having slots therethrough.